Madden NFL 25 Quick Hits: Run Free Is Not Just For RBs

We’ve all heard by now of the “Run Free” system and we’ve all seen the videos of running backs juking, hurdling, and stiff arming their way down the field. In my recent trip to EA Studios last week I not only got to see the “Run Free” system first hand but I also saw that running backs weren’t the only ones utilizing the new precision modifiers in Madden NFL 25.

I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me that RBs will not be the only ones who could pull off some sick combos in Madden NFL 25. DeSean Jackson in the open field is nothing to sneeze at and even a QB like RG3 with precision jukes will be a handful to gather if you let him get loose.

Gronkowski Can and Will Stiff Arm and Hurdle Over You

I was playing against the CPU and the computer threw a pass to Percy Harvin on a hitch and he made a stutter-spin move that left poor Deangelo Hall asking to switch to free safety on the next play. I was so determined to do my own little combos as well when I was on offense after seeing that. I had a nice juke-truck combo with Alfred Morris against the Cowboys. It’s all about timing with a lot of the combos, if you juke-spin at the wrong time you could be missing out on some extra yardage. You really have to know your player and what his strengths and weaknesses are. I was trying to do some spin moves with Alfred Morris and because his spin isn’t high enough; actually not high at all, I couldn’t get it right, it was slow and not at all effective, but his truck was very effective as well as his stiff arm.

Speaking of stiff arms, Madden NFL 25 has the best stiff arms I’ve seen in the Madden franchise to date. You can do a punch stiff arm, you can hold it out there to ward off defenders coming at you, or you can use it to get people off of you and put them on the ground. The animations for a tackler trying to tackle you while you are trying to ward him off are really good. I also was able to pulled off some nice hurdles from Gronkowski and he bowled over some poor DB as well, so make sure you use that big TE. I think you’ll see a lot of hurdles this year and stiff arms.

Now don’t get too worried, because every time you use one of these precision modifiers your fatigue goes down and thus making you susceptible to turnovers. I was running with Alfred Morris and and after I had juked a defender and while I was stiff arming another from the side a guy came from behind, got a good hit on me and the ball came out for a fumble. So you have to be cautious when pulling off these moves. Don’t get too carried away cause if you spin move into a Hit Stick, hold your breath.

For more impressions about Madden NFL 25 Gameplay and Connected Franchise, follow me on Twitter @Shopmaster and leave your thoughts and comments below. Read some of my other “Madden NFL 25 Quick Hits” articles that will be coming out real soon.

Does the CPU consistently use the precision modifiers intelligently? By that I mean did the CPU make use of moves that fit a player’s strengths but also in situations that made sense? In past Maddens you’d hardly see the CPU make use of moves. And when they did it was usually a useless spin move in the middle of a hole.

Shopmaster

I wouldn’t say they consistently did it, but I did see it form time to time. As far as their strengths, I never saw the CPU with a big back try to spin. I agree that in past years the CPU never really did any moves, I think you will see more but not on a consistent level that we’d all like. I do think you’ll see the CPU run the ball more effectively this year.

brza

Thanks. Thats great news if the CPU can run effectively this year. Even with sliders the CPU run game was so horrible in M13 that it really killed CCM for me this year. Looking forward to seeing some Madden25 single player gameplay soon.

Shopmaster

That was actually something they made a comment to me about, wanting the CPU to run effectively.